Price and specifications of Micromax Funbook Pro advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Introduction to Micromax Funbook Pro

The Micromax Funbook Pro is a tablet that was introduced to the market in August 2012. As part of the Funbook series, it aimed to provide an affordable yet functional alternative to the high-cost tablets available at the time. With its release, it sought to capture the entry-level tablet segment by offering a robust Android experience powered by decent hardware specifications.

Display and Design

The Micromax Funbook Pro features a large 10.1-inch TFT display with a resolution of 600 x 1024 pixels and a 16:9 aspect ratio. This, effectively, offers users a reasonable visual experience for reading, browsing, and multimedia usage, although the pixel density of approximately 118 ppi is lower compared to premium devices, which means images and text might not appear as crisp. The physical design is simplistic, with a focus on functionality, and is available in two colors: silver and black. Despite its primary function as an affordable tablet, it carries a sense of understated elegance with a minimalist build approach.

Performance and Software

The tablet is equipped with a 1.2 GHz Cortex-A8 processor and Mali-400 GPU, which were considered sufficient for basic multimedia playback, web browsing, and running applications in its time. However, the performance might lag with the more recent applications or those requiring higher processing power due to technological advancements over the years. Coupled with 1GB of RAM, the Funbook Pro runs on Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich, providing a user interface that was standard for Android devices at the time, featuring basic multitasking and access to the Android app ecosystem via Google Play Store.

Storage and Expandability

The Micromax Funbook Pro comes with 8GB of internal storage, which could be considered limited, especially by current standards. Nonetheless, it supports expandability through a dedicated microSDHC card slot, allowing users to increase storage capacity for applications, media, and data. Such flexibility offers users the opportunity to extend device capabilities depending on their needs.

Camera and Multimedia

On the multimedia front, the tablet integrates a VGA main camera. While it’s not suited for taking high-resolution photos or videos, it can serve basic purposes like video calling or capturing simple pictures when needed. The inclusion of a 3.5mm audio jack and loudspeakers supports user media consumption needs, enabling music listening and video playback without an external audio device.

Connectivity and Sensors

The Funbook Pro supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g for wireless internet connectivity, although it lacks cellular connectivity capabilities. This limitation confines its use primarily to Wi-Fi accessible areas. It does not feature Bluetooth or GPS, which can limit connectivity options and location-based service usage. The proprietary USB connectivity, although somewhat limiting by today’s universal standards, was common during the tablet's release era. However, it does feature an accelerometer, which allows for screen orientation adjustments and use in various applications.

Battery Life

The tablet houses a non-removable Li-Ion battery with a capacity of 5600 mAh, providing a satisfactory battery life with up to 6 hours of multimedia usage. Such battery capacity was quite substantial for the tablet market back in 2012, ensuring users could enjoy extended periods of entertainment and productivity, provided they managed application usage effectively.

Launch and Market Positioning

Micromax officially announced the Funbook Pro in August 2012 and released it the same month into a market eager for cost-effective tablet solutions. Priced at around 170 EUR, it presented an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers or those seeking a secondary device. Its discontinuation subsequently aligns with technology's rapid progression, where specifications quickly become outdated.

Conclusion

In retrospect, the Micromax Funbook Pro was a straightforward yet functional device aimed at making smart tablets accessible to a wider audience. Ideal for basic tasks and media consumption during its time, it successfully captured its target segment. Today, examining devices like the Funbook Pro provides insights into consumer technology evolution, illustrating the transitions from basic functionality towards the sophisticated, high-performance devices we see today.